PORT Stephens Council (PSC) has put the new draft Affordable Housing Action Plan on public exhibition, outlining steps to reduce rental stress in low- and moderate-income households.
Port Stephens Mayor Leah Anderson said that the new plan aims to “bridge the gap between social housing and the open rental market”.
According to a PSC report, more than 22,000 households in Port Stephens qualify for access to affordable housing.
However, affordable housing properties represent less than 0.001 per cent of all homes in Port Stephens, and none are currently vacant.
While PSC has stressed multiple times that their job is not to build houses, the Affordable Housing Action Plan identified three priority areas of action to improve housing outcomes.
The first is advocacy for investments from State and Federal Governments for projects such as the Hume housing opportunities in Raymond Terrace.
Second is leveraging land-use planning, which will include a review of fees and charges, discounts and opportunities to fast-track applications for affordable housing.
Finally, Council will partner with key stakeholders, at both community and Government level, to identify sites for affordable housing, as well as key worker housing.
“We know that housing affordability is one of the biggest issues facing our community right now,” said Mayor Anderson.
“Local businesses and essential support services are all affected, and our teachers, healthcare workers, hospitality staff and emergency personnel are finding it harder to live close to where they work.”
“What we’re trying to do as a Council to assist with supply [for rentals] is look at getting development industry interest in Council-owned land.”
Councillor Ben Niland highlighted how the reduction of homelessness is another fundamental goal of the plan.
“We’ve all driven around Raymond Terrace and seen more and more homelessness,” Cr Niland commented, adding that PSC will “pull whatever lever they can” to deliver affordable homes to everyone who needs them, especially young people who are trying to break into the rental market.
The Affordable Housing Action Plan will remain on public exhibition for a month before being discussed again by PSC.
By Nico LOMBARDO
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